The improvised device went off near the Manipur University complex on Saturday in Imphal, the capital of Manipur state.

A police officer says five of the wounded are being treated in a hospital and two of them are in critical condition. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

More than a dozen separatist groups are active in Manipur state and often stage hit-and-run attacks.

The rebels claim the local population is ignored by the federal government in New Delhi. Most locals are ethnically closer to groups in Burma and China than to the rest of India.

Subscribe to Asian Correspondent

Receive our weekly round-up of the most important stories in Asia

We will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.